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NTSB Report
February 10, 1982 · Cessna 172K · N84330
Plymouth, MA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 10, 1982
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Plymouth, MA
Aircraft
Cessna 172K
Tail Number
N84330
Operator
Dale Bessey
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC82DA032
AFTER ENTERING THE TRAFFIC PATTERN, THE PILOT COMPLETED HIS PRELANDING CHECKLIST WHILE OPPOSITE OF THE NUMBERS ON DOWNWIND. AFTER TURNING TO FINAL APPROACH, THERE WAS A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. HE STATED THAT HE REACHED DOWN AND SWITCHED THE FUEL SELECTOR WITHOUT LOOKING AT IT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO RESTART THE ENGINE. WITH WINDS GUSTING TO 20 KNOTS, HE WAS UNABLE TO GLIDE TO THE RUNWAY. HE MANEUVERED TO ALIGN THE AIRCRAFT WITH THE DIRECTION AND CONTOUR OF A ROAD FOR LANDING. HOWEVER, DURING THE LANDING, THE WING TIPS STRUCK SMALL TREES. AFTER THE MISHAP, THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS FOUND IN THE OFF POSITION. THE PILOT DID NOT REMEMBER TURNING IT OFF. THE ENGINE RAN NORMALLY DURING A SUBSEQUENT OPERATIONAL CHECK. THE ENGINE WAS TESTED TO SEE HOW LONG IT WOULD RUN AFTER THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS TURNED OFF. AT 2100 RPM, IT CONTINUED OPERATING FOR ABOUT 45 SECONDS. AT 1200 TO 1500 RPM, IT CONTINUED RUNNING ABOUT 70 SECONDS.
Full Narrative
AFTER ENTERING THE TRAFFIC PATTERN, THE PILOT COMPLETED HIS PRELANDING CHECKLIST WHILE OPPOSITE OF THE NUMBERS ON DOWNWIND. AFTER TURNING TO FINAL APPROACH, THERE WAS A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. HE STATED THAT HE REACHED DOWN AND SWITCHED THE FUEL SELECTOR WITHOUT LOOKING AT IT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO RESTART THE ENGINE. WITH WINDS GUSTING TO 20 KNOTS, HE WAS UNABLE TO GLIDE TO THE RUNWAY. HE MANEUVERED TO ALIGN THE AIRCRAFT WITH THE DIRECTION AND CONTOUR OF A ROAD FOR LANDING. HOWEVER, DURING THE LANDING, THE WING TIPS STRUCK SMALL TREES. AFTER THE MISHAP, THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS FOUND IN THE OFF POSITION. THE PILOT DID NOT REMEMBER TURNING IT OFF. THE ENGINE RAN NORMALLY DURING A SUBSEQUENT OPERATIONAL CHECK. THE ENGINE WAS TESTED TO SEE HOW LONG IT WOULD RUN AFTER THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS TURNED OFF. AT 2100 RPM, IT CONTINUED OPERATING FOR ABOUT 45 SECONDS. AT 1200 TO 1500 RPM, IT CONTINUED RUNNING ABOUT 70 SECONDS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:30 EST
Nearest AirportPlymouth County (0nm N)
Runway33
Runway Length2500 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172K
Tail NumberN84330
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorDale Bessey
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 51 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 15 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0